<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><p>Whenever consumers need to complete a simple automobile maintenance task, such as replacing windshield wiper blades or an air filter, they just need to run over to the local Napa Auto Parts, Auto Zone, or O'Reilly Auto Parts store, buy the product, and install it.</p><p>On some occasions, I've discovered one store might not have the part, but another will probably have it.</p><p>But on other occasions, when I'm having car repairs, a mechanic might not be able to find an auto part locally and needs to have it shipped in from a manufacturer in maybe Michigan or Ohio, which can take a few days.</p><h3>Supply chain issues impact auto parts industry</h3><p>The auto industry faced severe supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, which created auto parts shortages. Unfortunately, the problems didn't go away after the pandemic subsided, as supply chain issues and parts and components shortages continue to drag down the industry.</p><p>Issues that created parts and component shortages include material shortages, labor gaps, port congestion, geopolitical uncertainty, and the surge in electric vehicle development, Supply Chain World reported.</p><p>Supply challenges have contributed to economic issues for the auto parts industry in 2025, as some suppliers have needed to file for bankruptcy protection or, in some cases, downsize operations.</p><h3>Marelli and First Brands filed for bankruptcy protection</h3><p>Global giant auto parts company Marelli Holdings Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 11, listing $4.9 billion in funded debt, with plans to hand the company over to its senior lenders.</p><p>The debtor blamed its distress on the effects of the Covid pandemic and post-pandemic market challenges and headwinds, including supply chain challenges, labor shortages, high costs, inflation, rising prices of raw materials, and declining customer volumes. It also blamed tariffs.</p><p>Another huge auto parts company First Brands Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 25 with about $6 billion in debt.</p><p>First Brands makes auto parts products, such as Michelin licensed wiper blades, Raybestos complete brake solutions, Centric Parts replacement brake components, StopTech performance brakes, Fram filtration products, AirTex and Carter fuel and water pumps, Autolite spark plugs, Lube-finer filtration products, Trico wiper blades Anco wiper blades, Carson brake hardware, and Cardone new and remanufactured replacement parts.</p><h3>First Brands auto parts:</h3><ul><li>Michelin licensed wiper blades</li><li>Raybestos complete brake solutions</li><li>Centric Parts replacement brake components</li><li>StopTech performance brakes</li><li>Fram filtration products</li><li>AirTex and Carter fuel and water pumps</li><li>Autolite spark plugs</li><li>Lube-finer filtration products</li><li>Trico wiper blades</li><li>Anco wiper blades</li><li>Carson brake hardware</li><li>Cardone new and remanufactured replacement parts</li></ul><p>Another major auto parts and components supplier isn't filing for bankruptcy, but is shutting down a major facility.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aDlM.afBUvJxsS5XwfuhCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thestreet_881/8cb7545554c27db10940eb9bd64f66a9?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="540" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aDlM.afBUvJxsS5XwfuhCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thestreet_881/8cb7545554c27db10940eb9bd64f66a9"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>Cooper Standard Automotive is closing a manufacturing plant.Shutterstock</figcaption><p></p></figure><h3>Cooper Standard Automotive closes plant</h3><p>Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., a leading provider of automotive products for sealing, fluid handling, and specialized rubber and plastic components, will close its New Lexington, Ohio, manufacturing plant and lay off about 228 employees, the company revealed in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter sent to Ohio state officials.</p><p>The subsidiary of Northville, Mich.-based Cooper Standard issued the letter on Dec. 8 to the Ohio Department of Job &amp; Family Services that it would begin layoffs on Feb. 6, 2026, and continue terminating workers until the New Lexington plant closes on about July 1, 2027.</p><p>&#34;Cooper Standard is continually analyzing plant utilization and looking for opportunities to optimize our manufacturing footprint and overall operating efficiency,&#34; the letter said.</p><p>&#34;As a result, the company has made the difficult decision to close our New Lexington, Ohio, Facility,&#34; the letter continued.</p><p>Cooper Standard will notify the United Auto Workers Local 1686 of affected employees 60 days or more before their last day of employment, according to the WARN letter.</p><p>Bumping rights, which allow senior employees whose jobs are eliminated to take positions from less senior employees to keep a job at a company, exist under the collective bargaining agreement between Cooper Standard and UAW Local 1686.</p><h3>Affected workers will be offered transfers</h3><p>Also, hourly employees and salaried employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other Cooper Standard facilities, based on certain eligibility requirements, the letter said.</p><p>The company currently employs 193 hourly workers and 35 salaried workers.</p><p><strong>More closings:</strong></p><ul><li>Casual Mexican restaurant chain closes more locations</li><li>79-year-old national trucking company closes down, no bankruptcy</li><li>65-year-old Home Depot rival shutters business permanently</li></ul><p>Cooper Standard is a global leader in providing advanced sealing and fluid handling systems for transportation markets that include automotive vehicles, truck and bus, mass transit, electrification, and recreational vehicles, such as mobile RVs, marine, and powersports.</p><p>The company's automotive products include fuel and brake delivery systems, fluid transfer systems, custom rubber and plastic seals, spliced O-rings/corners, custom molded profiles, die-cut, rubber-to-metal bonding, overmolding, molded details, dual and tri-durometer seals, clip-on seals, push-pin solutions, and vibration isolation and dampening.</p><h3>Cooper Standard Automotive products:</h3><ul><li>Fuel and brake delivery systems</li><li>Fluid transfer systems</li><li>Custom rubber and plastic seals</li><li>Spliced O-rings/corners</li><li>Custom molded profiles</li><li>Die-cut</li><li>Rubber-to-metal bonding</li><li>Overmolding</li><li>Molded details</li><li>Dual and tri-durometer seals</li><li>Clip-on seals</li><li>Push-pin solutions</li><li>Vibration isolation and dampening</li></ul><p>It also provides products for industrial and consumer goods, such as appliances, electronics, renewable energy, foodservice, point-of-purchase, enclosures, and heavy equipment, such as agricultural and construction uses.</p><p>Cooper Standard also provides building and construction products for HVAC, windows and doors, and lighting.</p><p>The company, established in 1960, employs a total of 22,000 workers in 20 countries.</p><p><strong>Related: Popular furniture store brand closes down, no bankruptcy</strong></p><p><i>This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the Automotive section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.</i></p></div></div></div>

<p>Cooper Standard Automotive, a major auto parts supplier, is closing its New Lexington, Ohio plant, resulting in the layoff of approximately 228 employees. The decision, communicated via a WARN letter, is part of the company's strategy to optimize manufacturing efficiency. Affected workers may be offered transfers to other facilities. This closure follows ongoing supply chain issues and economic challenges in the auto parts industry, which have led to bankruptcies of other companies like Marelli and First Brands.</p>

65-year-old auto parts company shuts plant, dumps 100s of workers